Last frost date in Mequon, WI

Average last frost
May 6

Expect the last frost in Mequon around May 6. Frost after May 25 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 8, which leaves 154 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 26 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 25
Average first frost
Oct 8
Frost-free season
154 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 24
Next 7 nights in Mequon

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 8.

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2248°
  2. FriOct 2349°
  3. SatOct 2452°
  4. SunOct 2550°
  5. MonOct 2645°
  6. TueOct 2743°
  7. WedOct 2844°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost May 6First frost Oct 8154 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND154 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Germantown, 5.7 miles from Mequon.

Planting calendar for Mequon

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Wisconsin.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMay 13–May 27
PumpkinsMay 20–Jun 3
SunflowersMay 6–May 27
CucumbersMay 20–May 27
CornMay 13–May 27
Sweet potatoesMay 27–Jun 10
WatermelonMay 20–Jun 3
Green beansMay 13–Jun 3
ZucchiniMay 13–May 27
OkraMay 27–Jun 10
PeppersMay 20–Jun 3
BasilMay 13–May 27
Butternut squashMay 13–May 27
CantaloupeMay 20–Jun 3
EggplantMay 20–Jun 3
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 8–Apr 22
OnionsMar 25–Apr 15
CarrotsApr 15–May 20
LettuceApr 22–May 13
BroccoliApr 8–Apr 22
BeetsApr 8–May 20
PeasMar 25–Apr 8
CabbageApr 8–Apr 22
RadishesApr 1–May 13
Brussels sproutsApr 22–May 6
SpinachMar 25–Apr 15
CilantroApr 22–May 13
KaleApr 8–Apr 22
Collard greensApr 8–Apr 22
TurnipsApr 8–Apr 22
DillMay 6–May 20
CeleryMay 13–May 20
CauliflowerApr 22–May 6
LeeksApr 22–May 6
Swiss chardApr 22–May 20
ParsleyApr 22–May 13
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 24–Oct 29
GarlicSep 17–Oct 22
Daffodil bulbsSep 10–Oct 22
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 8–Apr 22
AsparagusApr 8–Apr 22

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 22May 6May 25Sep 26Oct 8Oct 24
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 9Apr 24May 12Oct 4Oct 20Nov 3

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Germantown (USC00473058) sits 5.7 miles from the center of Mequon at 850 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Mequon, WI?

The average last frost date in Mequon is May 6, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 25.

When is the first frost in Mequon?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 8. One year in ten it arrives before September 26.

How long is the growing season in Mequon?

About 154 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Mequon?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 13 to May 27. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Wisconsin

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